countable a formal occasion when someone speaks to an audience
He began his speech by outlining his plans for the coming year.
make/give/deliver a speech:
The queen made a wonderful speech in reply.
Synonyms and related words
Speeches and parts of speeches
speech
talk
address
1a
the words that someone speaks to an audience
She’s responsible for writing the president’s politicalspeeches.
Synonyms and related words
Speeches and parts of speeches
speech
talk
address
1b
a part of a play when a particular character speaks for a long time
the king’s dying speech
Synonyms and related words
Parts of films, stories and plays
act
action
ad-lib
1c
often humorousan occasion when someone talks for a long time about something that they think is important. This word is often used for making someone feel silly for saying something
That was quite a little speech you made.
Synonyms and related words
Speeches and parts of speeches
speech
talk
address
2
uncountable the ability to speak
A stroke can cause paralysis and difficulties with speech.
the power of speech:
When she woke up, they realized that she had lost the power of speech.
Synonyms and related words
Ways of communicating and acts of communicating
language
speech
communications
2a
spoken language, not written language
tapes of recorded speech
Synonyms and related words
Types of language and general words for language
acrolect
a living language
basilect
2b
only before nounconcerning speech
speech development
a speech disorder/defect
Synonyms and related words
Ways of communicating and acts of communicating
language
speech
communications
speech
noun
US /spitʃ/
Other entries for this word
free speechnoun
hate speechnoun
speech actnoun
direct speechnoun
maiden speechnoun
speech eventnoun
speech marksnoun
closing speechnoun
connected speechnoun
counter-speechnoun
indirect speechnoun
part of speechnoun
reported speechnoun
speech communitynoun
speech impedimentnoun
speech synthesisnoun
speech therapynoun
figure of speechnoun
speech recognitionnoun
freedom of speechnoun
more dictionary definitions
Word Forms
singular
speech
plural
speeches
DEFINITIONS2
1
countable a formal occasion when someone speaks to an audience
He began his speech by outlining his plans for the coming year.
make/give/deliver a speech:
The queen made a wonderful speech in reply.
Synonyms and related words
Speeches and parts of speeches
speech
talk
address
1a
the words that someone speaks to an audience
She’s responsible for writing the president’s politicalspeeches.
Synonyms and related words
Speeches and parts of speeches
speech
talk
address
1b
a part of a play when a particular character speaks for a long time
the king’s dying speech
Synonyms and related words
Parts of movies, stories and plays
act
action
ad-lib
1c
often humorousan occasion when someone talks for a long time about something that they think is important. This word is often used for making someone feel silly for saying something
That was quite a little speech you made.
Synonyms and related words
Speeches and parts of speeches
speech
talk
address
2
uncountable the ability to speak
A stroke can cause paralysis and difficulties with speech.
the power of speech:
When she woke up, they realized that she had lost the power of speech.